Chapter 21 #2
“Wow, she really likes you.” Serena laughs.
I shrug and scratch Calliope behind her ear. “We’ve got history.”
Charlie laughs and guides Calliope to the corner. “Ok Serena, I am going to have her lay down here, and you can come up to her.” Charlie commands Calliope to lay down on a cot and she obeys. Serena gives me one last questioning look and I nod to her. Silently letting her know that it is okay.
I would throw myself in front of the tiger before I let it harm Serena, and she knows it.
Resting my foot against the wall, I watch as she cautiously approaches Calliope and runs her hand down the top of her head. My girl is absolutely fearless. She continues to amaze me.
“She’s so big! What kind of diet does she have?” Serena gets up and stands by my side.
Charlie glances over at me. “Oh, she’s not picky.” Charlie leads her off the cot. “She just appreciates… fresh meat is all.”
I laugh and watch her lead Calliope down the hall. “What’s so funny?” Serena looks at me suspiciously.
“Nothing Mi Vida.” Serena doesn’t need to know about this part of my world. I swore I would protect her, even if that means from myself.
Do I want her to know every part of me? Hell yes I do. But my darkness is not something I want to ruin her with. I will ruin Serena, but in other ways.
My innocent little angel is going to be my dirty little devil when I’m done with her.
“So, how is it you guys know each other?” Serena sits in a chair next to the cot, crosses her legs and looks back and forth between myself and the empty hallway that Charlie has retreated down.
Now is the time for me to make a decision. Do I tell her about what we do at the club? Or do I make up a lie on how we met. Making my decision, I take a deep breath and divulge the true purpose of the club and my role, leaving out the part where I kill people when necessary.
“Oh wow,” she breathes. “So all of those women?”
“All survivors.” I nod.
“That’s amazing. What Cole is doing…just wow. What made him want to start getting involved in rescuing them and breaking up the sex trafficking rings?” Her position shifts in the chair, her eyes meeting mine.
“It’s a long story, but the short version… when we were in foster care together, he had a sister. One morning we woke up, and she was gone from her room. He has been looking for her ever since.”
“You were in foster care?” She uncrosses her legs, her expression full of pity. This is why I didn’t want to say anything. I don’t want her feeling sorry for me and seeing me as weak. My past made me into the man I am today, and I am not ashamed of that.
It has allowed me to be the type of man that has saved countless women and also murdered the assholes responsible so they can’t continue to target young girls.
And for that, I will never apologize.
Pushing off the wall, I step over to Serena and take her hands in mine, pulling her to stand in front of me. “That’s a story for a different day baby. But now, I believe it’s time for us to go home.”
It’s getting late and we need to get home, because I’ve got plans for Serena. We say our goodbyes to Charlie, make our way to the parking lot, and I’m starting the bike when I feel my phone buzzing against my leg.
Jules: I’m assuming Serena doesn’t have her phone because I can’t get a hold of her, so I’m texting you.
Me: What’s up?
Jules: You're bringing Serena here tonight. I need her and I know she could use a girl's night.
Me: Not tonight.
Jules: It wasn't a question, Isaac. Either you bring her here or I call the cops and report her as kidnapped. Your choice.
Is she always this dramatic? I am glad Serena has a friend like her, but she is really pissing me off right now, getting in the way of my night with Serena.
Or is she?
I pocket my cell and let my Little Firecracker know what’s going on. When her eyes light up at the mention of going to Jules’, I know I’ve made the right decision. Just for tonight.
And you can bet your ass that I’ll be there the entire time. There’s not a chance in hell I’m leaving her for the night to be on her own. She will be none the wiser, believing that she’s having a girl's night. It will still be girls night, plus me in the shadows.
A slumber party for all of us.
She puts on her helmet and fumbles with the chin strap. My helmet is already on, so I take off my gloves and reach underneath to clasp it for her. Then hooking my finger under her helmet, I tug her toward me, touching our chin bars together.
Serena lets out a giggle when I pick her up and place her on the back of the bike. Swinging my leg over, I lift the kickstand before we ride out of the parking lot.
About an hour later, we are riding down a gravel path that winds deep into the woods. Eventually reaching a clearing, and I cut the engine.
“Isaac…” I hear the hesitation in her voice come through my coms. “Are you planning on murdering me out here? Because this is not Jules’ house.”
I pop the kickstand and get off the bike. “Never Preciosa.” Grabbing her under her arms, I sit her on my seat facing me and remove her helmet. “I just wanted to play with you before I drop you off.”